1/11
Q: “What is a lesson that you have learned so far?”
A: a huge lesson that ive learned since being away is that I cannot pour out if I am not being filled up & abiding in Jesus. I’ve learned what it really means to abide in him and I’ve witnessed what fruit comes out of doing that, as well as the bad that comes out of straying away from him.
2/11
Q: “Are you loving Ecuador?”
A: Ecuador is so beautiful. I’ve loved getting to see the country and all it has to offer. However, I can’t say that I’m completely head over heals for this place. For one- I really don’t like living in the city. Quito is the biggest place I have ever been and it just doesn’t give off that friendly feel. Also, the language barrier has been difficult and discouraging. But I am learning to embrace these unknown feelings and really choose to see the greatness that God has for my squad here!
3/11
Q: “Do you live in a house with your whole squad/ what is that like?”
A: yes. All 30 of us live in one house together. We share everything, like laundry machines, the refrigerator, the stove, microwave.. everything. Yes, we do have conflict sometimes, and yes, living in community is not easy and will sometimes drive you insane. But, loving my squad is easy when everyone is so kind and uplifting + having good communication skills (feedback :D)
4/11
Q: “Are you getting to be fluent in Spanish?”
A: Not quite haha. I didn’t take any Spanish in school, so I had absolutely no knowledge about it when I came to Ecuador. But, I am able to pick up on words and phrases. The only thing I can compare it to is like being a baby, and trying to learn words for the first time without being able to understand or speak. When things are being said over and over everyday, I start to recognize what they mean.
5/11
Q: “What is the biggest difference from living in South Africa to now living in Ecuador?”
A: There’s a lot. A big one would be the language barrier. Getting to speak English all the time in Africa was awesome. Also, JBay, SA was the smallest little town that I ever did see. Every time I left the house, I would see someone that I know/have seen before. In Quito, it is the complete opposite, a total 180!
6/11
Q: “Do you miss home?”
A: This is such a hard question. Some days I really miss everything about Texas and all of the restaurants and my pets, and my family especially. I think that I miss my sister and my cousins the most. But also, I know that I’m seeing my parents at PVT and I only have 4ish more months until I get to go back to it all. Home is always there and the race is just a short amount of time that I am away.
7/11
Q: “Any good food in Ecuador?”
A: EMPANADAS!! And putting cilantro on everything is a personal favorite. The situation is similar to South Africa, where I have access to regular food that I would eat in the states. I think that if I was in the middle of nowhere, it would be way different. But since I’m living in such a civilized place, there are so many restaurants that are similar to home such as Pizza Hut and good burger places and sushi. Also they have Kraft Mac n Cheese here so you know what’s up
8/11
Q: “Day in the life?”
A: This is gonna be its own blog! Love writing these<3
9/11
Q: “What is teaching English like?”
A: It’s hard. The kids are funny though. It’s interesting teaching grammar because I just don’t even remember that stuff. I just know how to say things the right way I guess?? Also it is difficult to build relationships with the students because they are so interested in their phones and things like that.
10/11
Q:”Who’s your favorite ministry host that you miss the most?”
A: Of course Lehanie <33
11/11
Q:”Do your parents get to come visit you while you are gone?”
A: Yep! Mom and dad are coming in February and I am so thrilled to see them!!
